George J. Nicoloff, Ret., Lt. Col., USAF, 89 of Shalimar, Florida, passed away in the early morning on Sunday, September 17, 2017. He was born to Macedonian Imigrants, Stoian and Blaguna Nicoloff in June of 1928 in Marshalltown, Iowa. He shall be remembered for being a loving and dedicated husband to his wife of 63 years, and an exemplary example of a Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. He retired from the US Air Force in 1983 after 30 years of honorable service as a navigator and wing commander. He graduated from the Air War College in Montgomery, AL and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross w/ Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Air Medal and 12 additional OLC during his service. During the Vietnam War he flew countless combat bombing missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the F-4 Phantom fighter jet. He served as the Avionics Commander at Eglin in the 70’s during development of laser guided missiles. He holds a B.S. Degree from George Williams College in Chicago, IL, a M.S. Degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and obtained his Teachers Certificate from OWCC here in Niceville. He was very involved in the Boy Scouting Programs with both of his sons and earned the Silver Beaver Award for adult leaders. He was a Mason, a substitute school teacher for 7 years, PTA President, Poll Worker, American Legion Post 235 Member and Scorekeeper for the NW Florida Raiders Basketball team. His true passion was his family home. Shortly after retiring, he “single handedly” built two large additions onto their house. He was known by his family, friends and neighbors as a “gardener” for meticulously maintaining his yard and the many gardens that he created over the years. Often times you could find him from sunrise to sunset out working in his yard. His has been a Shalimar resident and member of the Shalimar United Methodist Church for 46 years. He has now been called up to God’s “home” to care for all the gardens in Heaven.

George is predeceased by his Father and Mother, and his sisters Annette, Christine and Flossie Nicoloff. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, sons, James (Zulima) and Thomas (Tamara) Nicoloff, daughter and “dedicated caregiver” Lynn (David) Everts, two sisters, Wassie Downs and Mary Ann Moline, seven grand-children, Karen (Kenneth) Baker, Jack, Audrey and Ben Nicoloff, Allen Parkinson, and Tyler and Ryan Everts, and three great-grandchildren, Amelia, Isabel and James Baker.

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